Army beefs up troops after clashes with rebels in Valencia City and Kibawe Bukidnon
BUKIDNON NEWS | KIBAWE | VALENCIA CITY – With only a few days before Christmas, the army has beefed up its troops here in the Province of Bukidnon. This, after the army clashed with members of the New People’s Army (NPA) Tuesday in Barangay Banlag, Valencia City.
Maj. Michele Anayron of the 4th Infantry Division told Bukidnon Online that the additional troops will help further secure the area and “neutralize” the NPA rebels.
Anayron didn’t specify how many troops or members of the army were sent to augment the existing battalion.
On Tuesday, army soldier engaged in gunfight versus the rebels leaving 1 soldier and 9 rebels dead. Initial reports gathered by Bukidnon Online pointed to 8 rebels and 2 soldiers but this has yet to be confirmed. Anayron merely confirmed the 1 soldier and 9 rebels statistics.
Meanwhile, Bukidnon Online was also told that another encounter happened at Sampaguita, Kibawe, Bukidnon yesterday, December 16, 2009. Kibawe Vice Mayor Minerva Casinabe allegedly confirmed this piece of information. Bukidnon Online has yet to verify. No word yet about this from the army.
Reports also say that a high ranking NPA official was in Valencia City. Local policemen, along with the army, have been doing round the clock security-related measures to protect the area.
